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{{Short description|People of ancient west Asia}}
{{Portal|Ancient Near East}}
{{redirect-distinguish|Gutians|Gutian (disambiguation){{!}}Gutian}}
{{Portal|Kurdistan}}
{{For|people from the Gutian County of Ningde, Fujian, China|Fuzhou people}}
The '''Gutians''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|uː|t|i|ən|z}} (also '''Guteans''', '''Guti''', '''Quti''', '''Qurtie''', '''Qurti''', '''Kurti'''<ref>{{cite web|title=The Kingdom of Gutium|url=http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/bible/timelines/Babylon/Gutium.htm}}</ref> and '''Kurdu'''<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East">{{cite book|title=Kurds/History|page=382|url=http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=stl97FdyRswC&pg=PA380&dq=kurds+guti&hl=tr&sa=X&ei=8BayUeKSOMWohAfTi4GoDQ&ved=0CF8Q6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=kurds%20guti&f=false}}</ref> ) were a tribe from northern and central ranges of the ] that overran southern ] when the ]ian empire collapsed in approximately 2154 BC.
{{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=350|caption_align=center
| align = right
| direction =horizontal
| header=Gutians
| image1 =Tablet of Lugalannatum.jpg
| caption1 = Tablet of ]
| image2 = Gutium (name).jpg
| caption2 = "Gutium"
| image3= Near_East_topographic_map_with_toponyms_3000bc-en.svg
| caption3=Approximate location of Gutium
| footer='''Top:''' An inscription dated c. 2130 BC, mentioning the Gutians: "], prince of ] ... built the <small>''E.GIDRU''</small> Temple at ], buried his foundation deposit regulated the orders. At that time, ] was king of Gutium." The name {{cuneiform|𒄖𒋾𒌝𒆠}}, ''gu-ti-um<sup>KI</sup>'' appears in the last column. ].<br />'''Bottom:''' Approximate location of original Gutium territory
}}
The '''Guti''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|uː|t|i|}}), also known by the derived ]s '''Gutians''' or '''Guteans''', were a people of the ancient Near East who both appeared and disappeared during the ]. Their homeland was known as '''Gutium''' (]: {{cuneiform|𒄖𒌅𒌝𒆠}}, ''Gutūm<sup>KI</sup>'' or {{cuneiform|𒄖𒋾𒌝𒆠}}, ''Gutium<sup>KI</sup>'').<ref>{{cite web|website=ETCSL |url=https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.2.1.1&display=Crit&charenc=gcirc&lineid=c211.308#c211.308 |title=The Sumerian King List line 308 |access-date=19 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=ETCSL |url=http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=t.2.1.5&display=Crit&charenc=gcirc&lineid=t215.p12#t215.p12 |title=The Cursing of Agade |access-date=18 December 2010}}</ref>
Conflict between people from Gutium and the ] has been linked to the collapse of the empire, towards the end of the 3rd millennium BC. The Guti subsequently overran southern ] and formed the short lived ]. The ] suggests that the Guti ruled over ] for several generations following the fall of the Akkadian Empire.<ref>{{cite web|website=ETCSL |url=http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=t.2.1.1&display=Crit&charenc=gcirc&lineid=t211.p18#t211.p18 |title=Sumerian king list page 18}}</ref>


By the mid 1st millennium BC, usage of the name Gutium, by the peoples of lowland ], had expanded to include all of northwestern ], between the ] and the ]. Various tribes and places to the east and northeast, regardless of ethnicity, were often referred to as ''Gutians'' or ''Gutium''.<ref>Parpola, S., "Neo-Assyrian Toponyms", (AOAT 6). Kevelaer and Neukirchen-Vluyn: Butzon & Bercker and Neukirchener Verlag, 1970</ref> For example, Assyrian royal annals use the term Gutians in relation to populations known to have been ] or ]ans. As late as the reign of ] of Persia, the famous general ] (Gobryas) was described as the "governor of Gutium".<ref>Oppenheim, A. Leo, "VIII. Assyrian and Babylonian Historical Texts", The Ancient Near East: An Anthology of Texts and Pictures, edited by James B. Pritchard, Princeton: Princeton University Press, pp. 246-286, 2011</ref>
]ian sources portray the Gutians as a barbarous, ravenous people from '''Gutium''' or '''Qutium''' (]: Gu-tu-um<sup>ki</sup><ref>ETCSL. ''.'' Accessed 19 Dec 2010.</ref> or Gu-ti-um<sup>ki</sup><ref>ETCSL. '''' Accessed 18 Dec 2010.</ref>) in the mountains, presumably the central ] east of ] and north of ]. Gutium is also mentioned based in modern-day ]<ref name="From Culture to Ethnicity to Conflict: An Anthropological Perspective on International Ethnic Conflict">{{cite book|last=Eller|first=Jack David|title=Kurdish History and Kurdish Identity|page=153|url=http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=a8CxvhZfPYoC&printsec=frontcover&dq=From+Culture+to+Ethnicity+to+Conflict:+An+Anthropological+Perspective+on+...&hl=tr&sa=X&ei=nFBFUpXFCoSRswbrvICYAg&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=From%20Culture%20to%20Ethnicity%20to%20Conflict%3A%20An%20Anthropological%20Perspective%20on%20...&f=false}}</ref> The ] represents them as ruling over Sumer for a short time after the fall of the Akkadian Empire, and paints a picture of chaos within the ].<ref></ref>


== Origin ==
Next to nothing is known about their origins, as no "Gutian" artifacts have surfaced from that time; little information is gleaned from the contemporary sources.<ref></ref> Nothing is known of ] either, apart from those Sumerian king names, and that it was distinct from other known languages of the region (such as ], ], ], ] and ]).
]
Little is known of the origins, material culture or language of the Guti, as contemporary sources provide few details and no artifacts have been positively identified.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8VnAk14pODsC&dq=The+First+Indo-Europeans+in+History+Henning+Guti&pg=PA171 |last1=Bryant |first1=Edwin |last2=Patton |first2=Laurie L. |date=2004 |title=The Indo-Aryan Controversy|publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780700714636 }}</ref> As the ] lacks a ], apart from some proper names, its similarities to other languages are impossible to verify. The names of Gutian kings suggest that the language was not closely related to any languages of the region, including ], ], ], ], and ]. Most scholars reject the attempt to link Gutian king names to Indo-European languages.<ref name="The Tarim Mummies">{{cite book |title=The Tarim Mummies |first1=J.P. |last1=Mallory |author1-link=J. P. Mallory |first2=Victor H. |last2=Mair |author2-link=Victor H. Mair |location=London |publisher=Thames & Hudson |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-500-05101-6 |pages= |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/tarimmummiesanci00mall/page/281}}</ref>


==History== == History ==
=== 25th to 23rd centuries BC ===
] of ], holding an axe and a bow, trampling a foe. ], circa 2300-2000 BC. ], ].<ref name="JFO">{{cite book |last1=Osborne |first1=James F. |title=Approaching Monumentality in Archaeology |date=2014 |publisher=] |isbn=9781438453255 |page=123 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nvAQBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA123 |language=en}}</ref> The Gutians "were close neighbours, hardly to be distinguished" from the Lullubi.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=I. E. S. |last2=Gadd |first2=C. J. |last3=Hammond |first3=N. G. L. |title=The Cambridge Ancient History |date=1971 |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-521-07791-0 |page=444 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slR7SFScEnwC&pg=PA444 |language=en}}</ref>]]
The Guti appear in texts from ] copies of inscriptions ascribed to ] (] circa ]) of ] as among the nations providing his empire tribute. These inscriptions locate them between ] in the north, and ] and ] in the south.


The Guti appear in ] copies of inscriptions ascribed to ] of ] as among the nations providing his empire tribute. These inscriptions locate them between ] in the north, and ] and ] in the south. They were a prominent nomadic tribe who lived in the Zagros mountains in the time of the ]. ] also mentions them among his subject lands, listing them between ], ] and ] to the north, and ] and ] to the south. According to one stele, ]'s army of 360,000 soldiers defeated the Gutian king Gula'an, despite losing 90,000 slain by the Gutians. The epic ''Cuthaean Legend of Naram-Sin'' of a later millennium mentions ''Gutium'' among the lands around Mesopotamia raided by ] of ] during Naram-Sin's reign.<ref></ref> Contemporary year-names for ] of Akkad indicate that in one unknown year of his reign, he captured Sharlag king of Gutium, while in another year, "the yoke was imposed on Gutium".<ref></ref> ] (r. circa 2340 2284 BC) also mentions them among his subject lands, listing them between ], ] and ] to the north; Nikku and ] to the south. According to one stele, ]'s army of 360,000 soldiers defeated the Gutian king Gula'an, despite having 90,000 slain by the Gutians.


The epic '']'' claims ''Gutium'' among the lands raided by ] of ] during the reign of ] (c. 2254–2218 BC).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5P86eKIOJjgC&pg=PA709 |title=Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie |language=de |trans-title=Encyclopedia of Assyriology and Near Eastern Archaeology |last=Ebling |first=Bruno Erich|year=1928 |publisher=W. de Gruyter |isbn=9783110037050 }}</ref> Contemporary year-names for ] of Akkad indicate that in one unknown year of his reign, Shar-kali-sharri captured ] king of Gutium, while in another year, "the yoke was imposed on Gutium".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdli.ucla.edu/tools/yearnames/HTML/T2K4.htm |title=Year-names for Sharkalisharri |publisher=]}}</ref>
===Gutian dynasty of Sumer===
{{Main|Gutian dynasty of Sumer}}


=== Prominence during the early 22nd century BC ===
As Akkadian might went into a decline, the Gutians began to practice hit-and-run tactics on Mesopotamia; they would be long gone by the time forces could arrive to deal with the situation. Their raids crippled the economy of Sumer. Travel became unsafe, as did work in the fields, resulting in famine. The Gutians eventually overran Akkad, and as the King List tells us, their army also subdued ] for hegemony of Sumer &mdash; although it seems that autonomous rulers soon arose again in a number of city-states, notably ] of ]. The Gutians also seem to have briefly overrun ] at the close of ]'s reign, around the same time.<ref>Martin Sicker, 2000, ''The Pre-Islamic Middle East'', p. 19,</ref> and in an inscribed statue of Gutian king ] at ], in imitation of his Akkadian predecessors, he assumes the title "King of Gutium, King of the Four Quarters".
{{see also|Gutian rule in Mesopotamia|Sumerian King List}}
{{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=350|caption_align=center
| align = right
| direction =horizontal
| header=La-erabum, "Great King of Gutiim"
| image1 = Votive_mace_head_mentioning_the_name_of_La-arab,_king_of_Gutium,_c._2150_BCE,_from_Sippar,_Iraq._British_Museum.jpg
| image2 = Laerabum_mace_inscription_(name).jpg
| footer=Votive macehead of Gutian king ], and its inscription "La-eraab, great King of Gutiim" ({{cuneiform|𒆷𒂍𒊏𒀊 𒁕𒈝 𒈗 𒄖𒋾𒅎}} ''la-e-ra-ab da-num lugal gutiim''). The name is quite damaged, and was initially read "Lasiraab".<ref>{{cite book |title=The Sumerian Kings List |page=119, note 305 |url=https://oi.uchicago.edu/sites/oi.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/shared/docs/as11.pdf}}</ref> ] (BM 90852)
}}
During the Akkadian Empire period the Gutians slowly grew in strength and then established a capital at the Early Dynastic city of Adab.<ref>M. Molina, "The palace of Adab during the Sargonic period", D. Wicke (ed.), Der Palast im antiken und islamischen Orient, Colloquien der Deutschen Orient-Gesellschaft 9, Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz 2019, pp. 151-20</ref> The Gutians eventually overran Akkad, and as the King List tells us, their army also subdued ] for hegemony of Sumer, in about 2147–2050 BC. However, it seems that autonomous rulers soon arose again in a number of city-states, notably ] of ].


The Gutians seem also to have briefly overrun ] at around the same time, towards the close of ]'s reign (c. 2100 BC).<ref>{{cite book|first=Martin |last=Sicker |date=2000 |title=The Pre-Islamic Middle East |pages=19}}</ref> On a statue of the Gutian king ] at ], an inscription imitates his Akkadian predecessors, styling him "King of Gutium, King of the Four Quarters".
According to the Sumerian king list, "In the army of Gutium, at first no king was famous; they were their own kings and ruled thus for 3 years."


The ], of some 1500 years later, portrays the Gutian kings as uncultured and uncouth: The ] (written c. 500 BC), portrays the Gutian kings as uncultured and uncouth:
{{blockquote|''Naram-Sin destroyed the people of ], so twice ] summoned the forces of ] against him. Marduk gave his kingship to the Gutian force. The Gutians were unhappy people unaware how to revere the gods, ignorant of the right cultic practices.
''], the fisherman, caught a fish at the edge of the sea for an offering. That fish should not be offered to another god until it had been offered to Marduk, but the Gutians took the boiled fish from his hand before it was offered, so by his august command, Marduk removed the Gutian force from the rule of his land and gave it to Utu-hengal.''}}


=== Decline from the late 22nd century BC onwards ===
:"''] destroyed the people of ], so twice ] summoned the forces of Gutium against him. Marduk gave his kingship to the Gutian force. The Gutians were unhappy people unaware how to revere the gods, ignorant of the right cultic practices.''
], Prince of the Sumerian city of Uruk, praying for victory against the Gutian king ].]]
:''], the fisherman, caught a fish at the edge of the sea for an offering. That fish should not be offered to another god until it had been offered to Marduk, but the Gutians took the boiled fish from his hand before it was offered, so by his august command, Marduk removed the Gutian force from the rule of his land and gave it to Utu-hengal.''"
The Sumerian ruler ], Prince of the Sumerian city of Uruk is similarly credited on the King List with defeating the Gutian ruler ], and removing the Guti from the country in circa 2050 BC (]).<ref name="ox">{{cite web|url=http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=t.2.1.6&display=Crit&charenc=gcirc&lineid=t216.p1#t216.p1 |website=ETCSL |title=The victory of Utu-ḫeĝal}}</ref>


In his Victory Stele, Utu-hengal wrote about the Gutians:
The Sumerian ruler Utu-hengal of Uruk is similarly credited on the King List with defeating the Gutian ruler ], and removing the Guti from the country (ca. 2050 BC (])).<ref></ref> Following this, ] of ] had their homeland of Gutium devastated, though according to one lengthy Sumerian poem, he died in battle with the Gutians, after having been abandoned by his own army.
] victory stele, where he describes the Gutians he vanquished as "the fanged snake of the mountain ranges". ], AO 6018.<ref name="cdli.ucla.edu">Full transcription and translation in: {{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P433096 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref>]]
{{blockquote|
Gutium, the fanged snake of the mountain ranges, a people who acted violently against the gods, people who the kingship of Sumer to the mountains took away, who Sumer with wickedness filled, who from one with a wife his wife took away from him, who from one with a child his child took away from him, who wickedness and violence produced within the country..."|Victory Stele of Utu-Hengal<ref name="cdli.ucla.edu">Full transcription and translation in: {{cite web |title=CDLI-Found Texts |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P433096 |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Thureau-Dangin |first1=Fr. |title=La Fin de la Domination Gutienne |language=fr |trans-title=The End of Gutian Domination |journal=Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale |date=1912 |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=111–120 |jstor=23283609 |issn=0373-6032}}</ref>}}


Following this, ] of ] ordered the destruction of Gutium. The year 11 of king ] also mentions "Year Gutium was destroyed".<ref>{{cite web |title=Year names of Ur-Nammu |url=https://cdli.ucla.edu/tools/yearnames/HTML/T6K1.htm |website=cdli.ucla.edu}}</ref> However, according to a Sumerian epic, Ur-Nammu died in battle with the Gutians, after having been abandoned by his own army.
==Gutium as a later geographic term==
In the first millennium BC, the term "Gutium" was used to refer to the region between the ] and the ], also known as western ]. All tribes to the east and northeast who often had hostile relations with the peoples of lowland Mesopotamia, were referred to as ''Gutian'' <ref name="iranicagutians">{{cite web|last=Van De Mieroop|first=Marc|title=GUTIANS|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/gutians|work=Encyclopædia Iranica|accessdate=29 March 2012}}</ref> or ''Guti''. Assyrian royal annals use the term ''Gutians'' to refer to Iranian populations otherwise known as ] or ]ans; and as late as the reign of ] of Persia, the famous general ] (Gobryas) was described as the "governor of Gutium".


A Babylonian text from the early 2nd millennium refers to the Guti as having a "human face, dogs’ cunning, monkey's build".<ref>Ansky, S.. "The Cursing of Akkade". The Harps that Once..., edited by David G. Roskies, New Haven: Yale University Press, pp. 359-374, 1992</ref>
== Gutian language ==
Some ]s believe that the Guti may be the ''Qoa'', named with the ''Shoa'' and '']'' as enemies of Jerusalem in ] 23:23,<ref>See, for example, {{cite book|first1=J. D. |last1=Douglas |first2=Merrill C. |last2=Tenney |date=2011 |title=Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary |edition=3rd |publisher=] |pages=1897}}</ref> which was probably written in the 6th century BC.
{{Main|Gutian language}}


{{History of Greater Iran}}
==Physical appearance==


== References ==
According to the historian ] (1901), Assyriologist ] (1908), renowned archaeologist ] (1929) and Assyriologist ] (1944) the Gutians were pale skinned and blonde haired.<ref>"The Early History of Babylonia", Henry H. Howorth, The English Historical Review, Vol. 16, No. 61 (Jan. 1901), p.32.</ref><ref>The Old Testament in the Light of the Historical Records and Legends of Assyria and Babylonia, Theophilus Goldridge Pinches, Kessinger Publishing, 2005 (reprint), p. 158</ref><ref>''The Sumerians'', Leonard Woolley, Clarendon Press, 1929, p. 5.</ref><ref>''Hurrians and Subarians'', Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization, Gelb, 1944, p.88.</ref> This identification of the Gutians as fair haired first came to light when ] (1877) published a set of tablets he had discovered which described Gutian (and Subarian) slaves as ''namrum'' or ''namrûtum'', meaning "light colored" or "fair-skinned".<ref>Gelb, 1944, p. 43</ref><ref>Gelb, 1944, p. 88 - further translates a tablet passage as "a light (-coloured) slave girl who is pleasing to your eye."</ref> This racial character of the Gutians as blondes or being light skinned was also taken up by ] in 1899 and later by historian Sidney Smith in his ''Early history of Assyria'' (1928).<ref>''Der Arier und seine bedeutung für die gemeinschaft'', Georges Vacher de Lapouge, M. Diesterweg, 1939.</ref><ref>''Early history of Assyria'', Vol. 1, 1928, p. 72: "...one notable physical trait the Subaraeans and Gutians shared. Documents of the period of the Babylonian Amorite or First Dynasty mention slaves from Gutium and Subir (that is, Subartu), and specify that they shall be of fair complexion".</ref> ] however criticised the translation of "namrum" as "light colored". An article was published by Speiser in the '']'' attacking Gelb's translation.<ref>''Were the ancient Gutians really blond and Indo-Europeans?'', JAOS 50 (1930) p.338.</ref> Gelb in response accused Speiser of circular reasoning.<ref>Gelb 1944, p.43: "Speiser's...reaction against the normal interpretation of namrum as 'light (-colored)' was caused by... assumption that Hurrians or Subarians belonged to the Armenoid race, which according to them could hardly be called light-colored".</ref> In response Speiser claimed the scholarship regarding the translation of "namrum" or "namrûtum" is unresolved.<ref>''Hurrians and Subarians'', E. A. Speiser, Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 68, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1948), p. 12.</ref>

==Modern connection theories==
The historical Guti have been regarded by some as among the ancestors of the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=How to Get Out of Iraq with Integrity|url=http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=idhMxAdrEqkC&printsec=frontcover&hl=tr#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Middle East: A Reader|url=http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=kzrFOhXDp5wC&pg=PA123&dq=kurds+guti&hl=tr&sa=X&ei=OhWyUaaOKZKyhAfh44CgDw&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=kurds%20guti&f=false}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East|url=http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=stl97FdyRswC&pg=PA380&dq=kurds+guti&hl=tr&sa=X&ei=8BayUeKSOMWohAfTi4GoDQ&ved=0CF8Q6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=kurds%20guti&f=false}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Peoples of the Near East Without a National Future|url=http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=g18DAAAAMAAJ&q=kurds+guti&dq=kurds+guti&hl=tr&sa=X&ei=XByyUZeCFZGihgeGvYG4BA&ved=0CGYQ6AEwCThG}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Central Asiatic Journal|url=http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=fzvjAAAAMAAJ&q=kurds+guti&dq=kurds+guti&hl=tr&sa=X&ei=sx2yUb3KMo3whQfQsICgAg&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBThk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Great Soviet encylopedia|url=http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=_00NAQAAMAAJ&q=kurds+guti&dq=kurds+guti&hl=tr&sa=X&ei=sx2yUb3KMo3whQfQsICgAg&ved=0CFoQ6AEwCDhk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Art and Archaelogy|url=http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=ta7RAAAAMAAJ&q=kurds+guti&dq=kurds+guti&hl=tr&sa=X&ei=sx2yUb3KMo3whQfQsICgAg&ved=0CGAQ6AEwCThk}}</ref> However, the term Guti had by late antiquity become a "catch all" term to describe all tribal peoples in the Zagros region, and according to J.P. Mallory, the original Gutians precede the arrival of ] peoples (of which the Kurds are one) by some 1500 years<ref>Mallory, J.P. (1989), In Search of the Indo-Europeans: Language, Archaeology, and Myth, London: Thames & Hudson.</ref>

In the late 19th-century, Assyriologist ] sought to connect the Gutians of remote antiquity with the later ] (Goths), whom ] in 150 AD had known as the ], a tribe of ]. Oppert's theory on this connection is not shared by many scholars today, in the absence of further evidence.

==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


{{Ancient Mesopotamia topics}}
{{Ancient Syria and Mesopotamia}} {{Ancient Syria and Mesopotamia}}
{{Rulers of Sumer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gutian People}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Gutian People}}
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Latest revision as of 16:56, 19 December 2024

People of ancient west Asia "Gutians" redirects here. Not to be confused with Gutian. For people from the Gutian County of Ningde, Fujian, China, see Fuzhou people. GutiansTablet of Lugalanatum"Gutium"Approximate location of GutiumTop: An inscription dated c. 2130 BC, mentioning the Gutians: "Lugalanatum, prince of Umma ... built the E.GIDRU Temple at Umma, buried his foundation deposit regulated the orders. At that time, Siium was king of Gutium." The name 𒄖𒋾𒌝𒆠, gu-ti-um appears in the last column. Louvre Museum.
Bottom: Approximate location of original Gutium territory

The Guti (/ˈɡuːti/), also known by the derived exonyms Gutians or Guteans, were a people of the ancient Near East who both appeared and disappeared during the Bronze Age. Their homeland was known as Gutium (Sumerian: 𒄖𒌅𒌝𒆠, Gutūm or 𒄖𒋾𒌝𒆠, Gutium). Conflict between people from Gutium and the Akkadian Empire has been linked to the collapse of the empire, towards the end of the 3rd millennium BC. The Guti subsequently overran southern Mesopotamia and formed the short lived Gutian dynasty of Sumer. The Sumerian king list suggests that the Guti ruled over Sumer for several generations following the fall of the Akkadian Empire.

By the mid 1st millennium BC, usage of the name Gutium, by the peoples of lowland Mesopotamia, had expanded to include all of northwestern Iran, between the Zagros Mountains and the Tigris River. Various tribes and places to the east and northeast, regardless of ethnicity, were often referred to as Gutians or Gutium. For example, Assyrian royal annals use the term Gutians in relation to populations known to have been Medes or Mannaeans. As late as the reign of Cyrus the Great of Persia, the famous general Gubaru (Gobryas) was described as the "governor of Gutium".

Origin

The Gutians capturing a Babylonian city, as Akkadians are making a stand outside their city. 19th century illustration.

Little is known of the origins, material culture or language of the Guti, as contemporary sources provide few details and no artifacts have been positively identified. As the Gutian language lacks a text corpus, apart from some proper names, its similarities to other languages are impossible to verify. The names of Gutian kings suggest that the language was not closely related to any languages of the region, including Sumerian, Akkadian, Hurrian, Hittite, and Elamite. Most scholars reject the attempt to link Gutian king names to Indo-European languages.

History

25th to 23rd centuries BC

King Anubanini of Lullubi, holding an axe and a bow, trampling a foe. Anubanini rock relief, circa 2300-2000 BC. Sar-I Pul, Iran. The Gutians "were close neighbours, hardly to be distinguished" from the Lullubi.

The Guti appear in texts from Old Babylonian copies of inscriptions ascribed to Lugal-Anne-Mundu (fl. circa 25th century BC) of Adab as among the nations providing his empire tribute. These inscriptions locate them between Subartu in the north, and Marhashe and Elam in the south.

Sargon the Great (r. circa 2340 – 2284 BC) also mentions them among his subject lands, listing them between Lullubi, Armanum and Akkad to the north; Nikku and Der to the south. According to one stele, Naram-Sin of Akkad's army of 360,000 soldiers defeated the Gutian king Gula'an, despite having 90,000 slain by the Gutians.

The epic Cuthean Legend of Naram-Sin claims Gutium among the lands raided by Annubanini of Lulubum during the reign of Naram-Sin (c. 2254–2218 BC). Contemporary year-names for Shar-kali-sharri of Akkad indicate that in one unknown year of his reign, Shar-kali-sharri captured Sharlag king of Gutium, while in another year, "the yoke was imposed on Gutium".

Prominence during the early 22nd century BC

See also: Gutian rule in Mesopotamia and Sumerian King List La-erabum, "Great King of Gutiim"Votive macehead of Gutian king La-erabum, and its inscription "La-eraab, great King of Gutiim" (𒆷𒂍𒊏𒀊 𒁕𒈝 𒈗 𒄖𒋾𒅎 la-e-ra-ab da-num lugal gutiim). The name is quite damaged, and was initially read "Lasiraab". British Museum (BM 90852)

During the Akkadian Empire period the Gutians slowly grew in strength and then established a capital at the Early Dynastic city of Adab. The Gutians eventually overran Akkad, and as the King List tells us, their army also subdued Uruk for hegemony of Sumer, in about 2147–2050 BC. However, it seems that autonomous rulers soon arose again in a number of city-states, notably Gudea of Lagash.

The Gutians seem also to have briefly overrun Elam at around the same time, towards the close of Kutik-Inshushinak's reign (c. 2100 BC). On a statue of the Gutian king Erridupizir at Nippur, an inscription imitates his Akkadian predecessors, styling him "King of Gutium, King of the Four Quarters".

The Weidner Chronicle (written c. 500 BC), portrays the Gutian kings as uncultured and uncouth:

Naram-Sin destroyed the people of Babylon, so twice Marduk summoned the forces of Gutium against him. Marduk gave his kingship to the Gutian force. The Gutians were unhappy people unaware how to revere the gods, ignorant of the right cultic practices. Utu-hengal, the fisherman, caught a fish at the edge of the sea for an offering. That fish should not be offered to another god until it had been offered to Marduk, but the Gutians took the boiled fish from his hand before it was offered, so by his august command, Marduk removed the Gutian force from the rule of his land and gave it to Utu-hengal.

Decline from the late 22nd century BC onwards

Utu-Khegal, Prince of the Sumerian city of Uruk, praying for victory against the Gutian king Tirigan.

The Sumerian ruler Utu-hengal, Prince of the Sumerian city of Uruk is similarly credited on the King List with defeating the Gutian ruler Tirigan, and removing the Guti from the country in circa 2050 BC (short chronology).

In his Victory Stele, Utu-hengal wrote about the Gutians:

Utu-hengal victory stele, where he describes the Gutians he vanquished as "the fanged snake of the mountain ranges". Louvre Museum, AO 6018.

Gutium, the fanged snake of the mountain ranges, a people who acted violently against the gods, people who the kingship of Sumer to the mountains took away, who Sumer with wickedness filled, who from one with a wife his wife took away from him, who from one with a child his child took away from him, who wickedness and violence produced within the country..."

— Victory Stele of Utu-Hengal

Following this, Ur-Nammu of Ur ordered the destruction of Gutium. The year 11 of king Ur-Nammu also mentions "Year Gutium was destroyed". However, according to a Sumerian epic, Ur-Nammu died in battle with the Gutians, after having been abandoned by his own army.

A Babylonian text from the early 2nd millennium refers to the Guti as having a "human face, dogs’ cunning, monkey's build". Some biblical scholars believe that the Guti may be the Qoa, named with the Shoa and Pekod as enemies of Jerusalem in Ezekiel 23:23, which was probably written in the 6th century BC.

History of Greater Iran
Pre-IslamicBCE / BC
Prehistory
Kura–Araxes culture c. 3400 – c. 2000
Helmand culture/Jiroft culture 3300-2200
Proto-Elamite civilization 3200–2800
Elamite dynasties 2800–550
Lullubi/Zamua 3100-675
Marhaši 2550-2020
Bactria–Margiana Complex 2400–1700
Gutian Dynasty 2141-2050
Avestan period c. 1500 BCE – 500 BCE
Kingdom of Mannai 10th–7th century
Neo-Assyrian Empire 911–609
Urartu 860–590
Median Empire 728–550
Scythian Kingdom 652–625
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Hotak dynasty 1722–1729
Afsharid Iran 1736–1750
Zand dynasty 1750–1794
Durrani Empire 1794–1826
Qajar Iran 1794–1925

References

  1. "The Sumerian King List line 308". ETCSL. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
  2. "The Cursing of Agade". ETCSL. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  3. "Sumerian king list page 18". ETCSL.
  4. Parpola, S., "Neo-Assyrian Toponyms", (AOAT 6). Kevelaer and Neukirchen-Vluyn: Butzon & Bercker and Neukirchener Verlag, 1970
  5. Oppenheim, A. Leo, "VIII. Assyrian and Babylonian Historical Texts", The Ancient Near East: An Anthology of Texts and Pictures, edited by James B. Pritchard, Princeton: Princeton University Press, pp. 246-286, 2011
  6. Bryant, Edwin; Patton, Laurie L. (2004). The Indo-Aryan Controversy. Routledge. ISBN 9780700714636.
  7. Mallory, J.P.; Mair, Victor H. (2000). The Tarim Mummies. London: Thames & Hudson. pp. 281–282. ISBN 978-0-500-05101-6.
  8. Osborne, James F. (2014). Approaching Monumentality in Archaeology. SUNY Press. p. 123. ISBN 9781438453255.
  9. Edwards, I. E. S.; Gadd, C. J.; Hammond, N. G. L. (1971). The Cambridge Ancient History. Cambridge University Press. p. 444. ISBN 978-0-521-07791-0.
  10. Ebling, Bruno Erich (1928). Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie [Encyclopedia of Assyriology and Near Eastern Archaeology] (in German). W. de Gruyter. ISBN 9783110037050.
  11. "Year-names for Sharkalisharri". University of California Los Angeles.
  12. The Sumerian Kings List (PDF). p. 119, note 305.
  13. M. Molina, "The palace of Adab during the Sargonic period", D. Wicke (ed.), Der Palast im antiken und islamischen Orient, Colloquien der Deutschen Orient-Gesellschaft 9, Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz 2019, pp. 151-20
  14. Sicker, Martin (2000). The Pre-Islamic Middle East. p. 19.
  15. "The victory of Utu-ḫeĝal". ETCSL.
  16. ^ Full transcription and translation in: "CDLI-Found Texts". cdli.ucla.edu.
  17. Thureau-Dangin, Fr. (1912). "La Fin de la Domination Gutienne" [The End of Gutian Domination]. Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale (in French). 9 (3): 111–120. ISSN 0373-6032. JSTOR 23283609.
  18. "Year names of Ur-Nammu". cdli.ucla.edu.
  19. Ansky, S.. "The Cursing of Akkade". The Harps that Once..., edited by David G. Roskies, New Haven: Yale University Press, pp. 359-374, 1992
  20. See, for example, Douglas, J. D.; Tenney, Merrill C. (2011). Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary (3rd ed.). HarperCollins. p. 1897.
Ancient Mesopotamia
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Territories/
dates
Egypt Canaan Ebla Mari Kish/
Assur
Akshak/
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Uruk Adab Umma
Lagash Ur Elam
4000–3200 BCE Naqada I
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Gebel el-Arak Knife
Egypt-Mesopotamia relations Pre-Dynastic period (4000–2900 BCE) Susa I

Uruk period
(4000–3100 BCE)


(Anu Ziggurat, 4000 BCE)

(Anonymous "King-priests")
Susa II
Susa II Priest-King with bow and arrows
(Uruk influence or control)
3200–3100 BCE Proto-Dynastic period
(Naqada III)
Early or legendary kings:
Upper Egypt
Finger Snail Fish Pen-Abu Animal Stork Canide Bull Scorpion I Shendjw Iry-Hor Ka Scorpion II Narmer / Menes
Lower Egypt
Hedju Hor Ny-Hor Hsekiu Khayu Tiu Thesh Neheb Wazner Nat-Hor Mekh Double Falcon Wash
3100–2900 BCE Early Dynastic Period
First Dynasty of Egypt
Narmer Palette
Narmer Palette

Narmer Menes Neithhotep (regent) Hor-Aha Djer Djet Merneith (regent) Den Anedjib Semerkhet Qa'a Sneferka Horus Bird
Canaanites Jemdet Nasr period
(3100–2900 BCE)
Proto-Elamite
period
(Susa III)
(3100–2700 BCE)
2900 BCE Second Dynasty of Egypt

Hotepsekhemwy Nebra/Raneb Nynetjer Ba Nubnefer Horus Sa Weneg-Nebty Wadjenes Senedj Seth-Peribsen Sekhemib-Perenmaat Neferkara I Neferkasokar Hudjefa I Khasekhemwy
Khasekhemwy
Early Dynastic Period I (2900–2700 BCE)
First Eblaite
Kingdom

First kingdom of Mari
Kish I dynasty
Jushur, Kullassina-bel
Nangishlishma,
En-tarah-ana
Babum, Puannum, Kalibum
2800 BCE


Kalumum Zuqaqip Atab
Mashda Arwium Etana
Balih En-me-nuna
Melem-Kish Barsal-nuna
Uruk I dynasty
Mesh-ki-ang-gasher
Enmerkar ("conqueror of Aratta")
2700 BCE Early Dynastic Period II (2700–2600 BCE)
Zamug, Tizqar, Ilku
Iltasadum
Lugalbanda
Dumuzid, the Fisherman
Enmebaragesi ("made the land of Elam submit")
Aga of Kish Aga of Kish Gilgamesh Old Elamite period
(2700–1500 BCE)

Indus-Mesopotamia relations
2600 BCE Third Dynasty of Egypt

Djoser
Saqqarah Djeser pyramid
(First Egyptian pyramids)
Sekhemkhet Sanakht Nebka Khaba Qahedjet Huni
Early Dynastic Period III (2600–2340 BCE)
Sagisu
Abur-lim
Agur-lim
Ibbi-Damu
Baba-Damu
Kish II dynasty
(5 kings)
Uhub
Mesilim
Ur-Nungal
Udulkalama
Labashum
Lagash
En-hegal
Lugal-
shaengur
Ur
A-Imdugud
Ur-Pabilsag
Meskalamdug
(Queen Puabi)
Akalamdug
Enun-dara-anna
Mes-he
Melamanna
Lugal-kitun
Adab
Nin-kisalsi
Me-durba
Lugal-dalu
2575 BCE Old Kingdom of Egypt
Fourth Dynasty of Egypt
Snefru Khufu

Djedefre Khafre Bikheris Menkaure Shepseskaf Thamphthis
Ur I dynasty
Mesannepada
"King of Ur and Kish", victorious over Uruk
2500 BCE Phoenicia (2500-539 BCE) Second kingdom of Mari

Ikun-Shamash
Iku-Shamagan
Iku-Shamagan


Ansud
Sa'umu
Ishtup-Ishar
Ikun-Mari
Iblul-Il
Nizi
Kish III dynasty
Ku-Baba
Akshak dynasty
Unzi
Undalulu
Uruk II dynasty
Ensha-
kushanna
Mug-si Umma I dynasty

Pabilgagaltuku
Lagash I dynasty

Ur-Nanshe


Akurgal
A'annepada
Meskiagnun
Elulu
Balulu
Awan dynasty
Peli
Tata
Ukkutahesh
Hishur
2450 BCE Fifth Dynasty of Egypt

Userkaf Sahure Neferirkare Kakai Neferefre Shepseskare Nyuserre Ini Menkauhor Kaiu Djedkare Isesi Unas
Enar-Damu
Ishar-Malik
Ush
Enakalle
Elamite invasions
(3 kings)
Shushun-
tarana

Napilhush
2425 BCE Kun-Damu Eannatum
(King of Lagash, Sumer, Akkad, conqueror of Elam)
2400 BCE Adub-Damu
Igrish-Halam
Irkab-Damu
Kish IV dynasty
Puzur-Suen
Ur-Zababa
Urur Lugal-kinishe-dudu
Lugal-kisalsi
E-iginimpa'e
Meskigal
Ur-Lumma
Il
Gishakidu
(Queen Bara-irnun)
Enannatum
Entemena
Enannatum II
Enentarzi
Ur II dynasty
Nanni
Mesh-ki-ang-Nanna II
Kiku-siwe-tempti
2380 BCE Sixth Dynasty of Egypt
Teti Userkare Pepi I Merenre Nemtyemsaf I Pepi II Merenre Nemtyemsaf II Netjerkare Siptah
Kneeling statuette of Pepy I
Adab dynasty
Lugalannemundu
"King of the four quarters of the world"
2370 BCE Isar-Damu Enna-Dagan
Ikun-Ishar
Ishqi-Mari
Invasion by Mari
Anbu, Anba, Bazi, Zizi of Mari, Limer, Sharrum-iter
Ukush Lugalanda
Urukagina
Luh-ishan
2350 BCE Puzur-Nirah
Ishu-Il
Shu-Sin
Uruk III dynasty
Lugalzagesi
(Governor of Umma, King of all Sumer)
2340 BCE Akkadian Period (2340–2150 BCE)
Akkadian Empire

Sargon of Akkad Rimush Manishtushu
Akkadian Governors:
Eshpum
Ilshu-rabi
Epirmupi
Ili-ishmani
2250 BCE Naram-Sin Lugal-ushumgal
(vassal of the Akkadians)
2200 BCE First Intermediate Period
Seventh Dynasty of Egypt
Eighth Dynasty of Egypt
Menkare Neferkare II Neferkare Neby Djedkare Shemai Neferkare Khendu Merenhor Neferkamin Nikare Neferkare Tereru Neferkahor Neferkare Pepiseneb Neferkamin Anu Qakare Ibi Neferkaure Neferkauhor Neferirkare
Second Eblaite
Kingdom
Third kingdom of Mari
(Shakkanakku
dynasty)

Ididish
Shu-Dagan
Ishma-Dagan
(Vassals of the Akkadians)

Shar-Kali-Sharri
Igigi, Imi, Nanum, Ilulu (3 years)
Dudu
Shu-turul
Uruk IV dynasty
Ur-nigin
Ur-gigir
Lagash II dynasty
Puzer-Mama
Ur-Ningirsu I
Pirig-me
Lu-Baba
Lu-gula
Ka-ku
Hishep-Ratep
Helu
Khita
Puzur-Inshushinak
2150 BCE Ninth Dynasty of Egypt
Meryibre Khety Neferkare VII Nebkaure Khety Setut
Ur III period (2150–2000 BCE)
Nûr-Mêr
Ishtup-Ilum

Ishgum-Addu
Apil-kin
Gutian dynasty
(21 kings)

La-erabum
Si'um
Kuda (Uruk)
Puzur-ili
Ur-Utu
Umma II dynasty
Lugalannatum
(vassal of the Gutians)
Ur-Baba
Gudea

Ur-Ningirsu
Ur-gar
Nam-mahani

Tirigan
2125 BCE Tenth Dynasty of Egypt
Meryhathor Neferkare VIII Wahkare Khety Merykare


Uruk V dynasty
Utu-hengal
2100 BCE (Vassals of UR III) Iddi-ilum
Ili-Ishar
Tura-Dagan
Puzur-Ishtar
(Vassals of Ur III)
Ur III dynasty
"Kings of Ur, Sumer and Akkad"
Ur-Nammu Shulgi Amar-Sin Shu-Sin
2025-1763 BCE Amorite invasions Ibbi-Sin Elamite invasions
Kindattu (Shimashki Dynasty)
Middle Kingdom of Egypt
Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt
Mentuhotep I Intef I Intef II Intef III Mentuhotep II Mentuhotep III Mentuhotep IV
Third Eblaite
Kingdom

(Amorites)
Ibbit-Lim

Immeya Indilimma
(Amorite Shakkanakkus)
Hitial-Erra
Hanun-Dagan
(...)


Lim Dynasty
of Mari
(Amorites)
Yaggid-Lim Yahdun-Lim Yasmah-Adad Zimri-Lim (Queen Shibtu)
Old Assyria
Puzur-Ashur I
Shalim-ahum
Ilu-shuma
Erishum I
Ikunum
Sargon I
Puzur-Ashur II
Naram-Sin
Erishum II
Isin-Larsa period
(Amorites)
Dynasty of Isin: Ishbi-Erra Shu-Ilishu Iddin-Dagan Ishme-Dagan Lipit-Eshtar Ur-Ninurta Bur-Suen Lipit-Enlil Erra-imitti Enlil-bani Zambiya Iter-pisha Ur-du-kuga Suen-magir Damiq-ilishu
Dynasty of Larsa: Naplanum Emisum Samium Zabaia Gungunum Abisare Sumuel Nur-Adad Sin-Iddinam Sin-Eribam Sin-Iqisham Silli-Adad Warad-Sin Rim-Sin I (...) Rim-Sin II
Uruk VI dynasty: Alila-hadum Sumu-binasa Naram-Sin of Uruk Sîn-kāšid Sîn-iribam Sîn-gāmil Ilum-gamil An-am Irdanene Rîm-Anum Nabi-ilišu
Sukkalmah dynasty

Siwe-Palar-Khuppak
Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt
Amenemhat I Senusret I Amenemhat II Senusret II Senusret III Amenemhat III Amenemhat IV Sobekneferu
1800–1595 BCE Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt
Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt
Abraham
(Biblical)
Kings of Byblos
Kings of Tyre
Kings of Sidon
Yamhad
(Yamhad dynasty)
(Amorites)
Old Assyria

(Shamshi-Adad dynasty
1808–1736 BCE)
(Amorites)
Shamshi-Adad I Ishme-Dagan I Mut-Ashkur Rimush Asinum Ashur-dugul Ashur-apla-idi Nasir-Sin Sin-namir Ipqi-Ishtar Adad-salulu Adasi

(Non-dynastic usurpers
1735–1701 BCE)
Puzur-Sin Ashur-dugul Ashur-apla-idi Nasir-Sin Sin-namir Ipqi-Ishtar Adad-salulu Adasi

(Adaside dynasty
1700–722 BCE)
Bel-bani Libaya Sharma-Adad I Iptar-Sin Bazaya Lullaya Shu-Ninua Sharma-Adad II Erishum III Shamshi-Adad II Ishme-Dagan II Shamshi-Adad III Ashur-nirari I Puzur-Ashur III Enlil-nasir I Nur-ili Ashur-shaduni Ashur-rabi I Ashur-nadin-ahhe I Enlil-Nasir II Ashur-nirari II Ashur-bel-nisheshu Ashur-rim-nisheshu Ashur-nadin-ahhe II

First Babylonian dynasty
("Old Babylonian Period")
(Amorites)

Sumu-abum Sumu-la-El Sin-muballitSabium Apil-Sin Sin-muballit Hammurabi Samsu-iluna Abi-eshuh Ammi-ditana Ammi-saduqa Samsu-Ditana

Early Kassite rulers


Second Babylonian dynasty
("Sealand Dynasty")

Ilum-ma-ili Itti-ili-nibi Damqi-ilishu
Ishkibal Shushushi Gulkishar
DIŠ+U-EN Peshgaldaramesh Ayadaragalama
Akurduana Melamkurkurra Ea-gamil

Second Intermediate Period
Sixteenth
Dynasty
Abydos
Dynasty
Seventeenth
Dynasty

Fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt
("Hyksos")
Pharaoh Ahmose I slaying a Hyksos
Pharaoh Ahmose I slaying a Hyksos

Semqen 'Aper-'Anati Sakir-Har Khyan Apepi Khamudi
Mitanni
(1600–1260 BCE)
Kirta Shuttarna I Parshatatar
1531–1155 BCE
Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun
New Kingdom of Egypt
Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt
Ahmose I Amenhotep I
Third Babylonian dynasty (Kassites)
Agum-Kakrime Burnaburiash I Kashtiliash III Ulamburiash Agum III Karaindash Kadashman-harbe I Kurigalzu I Kadashman-Enlil I Burnaburiash II Kara-hardash Nazi-Bugash Kurigalzu II Nazi-Maruttash Kadashman-Turgu Kadashman-Enlil II Kudur-Enlil Shagarakti-Shuriash Kashtiliashu IV Enlil-nadin-shumi Kadashman-Harbe II Adad-shuma-iddina Adad-shuma-usur Meli-Shipak II Marduk-apla-iddina I Zababa-shuma-iddin Enlil-nadin-ahi
Middle Elamite period

(1500–1100 BCE)
Kidinuid dynasty
Igehalkid dynasty
Untash-Napirisha

Thutmose I Thutmose II Hatshepsut Thutmose III
Amenhotep II Thutmose IV Amenhotep III Akhenaten Smenkhkare Neferneferuaten Tutankhamun Ay Horemheb Hittite Empire

Ugarit
Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt
Ramesses I Seti I Ramesses II Merneptah Amenmesses Seti II Siptah Twosret
Elamite Empire
Shutrukid dynasty
Shutruk-Nakhunte
1155–1025 BCE Twentieth Dynasty of Egypt

Setnakhte Ramesses III Ramesses IV Ramesses V Ramesses VI Ramesses VII Ramesses VIII Ramesses IX Ramesses X Ramesses XI

Third Intermediate Period

Twenty-first Dynasty of Egypt
Smendes Amenemnisu Psusennes I Amenemope Osorkon the Elder Siamun Psusennes II

Phoenicia
Kings of Byblos
Kings of Tyre
Kings of Sidon

Kingdom of Israel
Saul
Ish-bosheth
David
Solomon
Syro-Hittite states Middle Assyria
Eriba-Adad I Ashur-uballit I Enlil-nirari Arik-den-ili Adad-nirari I Shalmaneser I Tukulti-Ninurta I Ashur-nadin-apli Ashur-nirari III Enlil-kudurri-usur Ninurta-apal-Ekur Ashur-dan I Ninurta-tukulti-Ashur Mutakkil-Nusku Ashur-resh-ishi I Tiglath-Pileser I Asharid-apal-Ekur Ashur-bel-kala Eriba-Adad II Shamshi-Adad IV Ashurnasirpal I Shalmaneser II Ashur-nirari IV Ashur-rabi II Ashur-resh-ishi II Tiglath-Pileser II Ashur-dan II
Fourth Babylonian dynasty ("Second Dynasty of Isin")
Marduk-kabit-ahheshu Itti-Marduk-balatu Ninurta-nadin-shumi Nebuchadnezzar I Enlil-nadin-apli Marduk-nadin-ahhe Marduk-shapik-zeri Adad-apla-iddina Marduk-ahhe-eriba Marduk-zer-X Nabu-shum-libur
Neo-Elamite period (1100–540 BCE)
1025–934 BCE Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Babylonian dynasties ("Period of Chaos")
Simbar-shipak Ea-mukin-zeri Kashshu-nadin-ahi Eulmash-shakin-shumi Ninurta-kudurri-usur I Shirikti-shuqamuna Mar-biti-apla-usur Nabû-mukin-apli
911–745 BCE Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt
Shoshenq I Osorkon I Shoshenq II Takelot I Osorkon II Shoshenq III Shoshenq IV Pami Shoshenq V Pedubast II Osorkon IV

Twenty-third Dynasty of Egypt
Harsiese A Takelot II Pedubast I Shoshenq VI Osorkon III Takelot III Rudamun Menkheperre Ini

Twenty-fourth Dynasty of Egypt
Tefnakht Bakenranef

Kingdom of Samaria

Kingdom of Judah
Neo-Assyrian Empire
Adad-nirari II Tukulti-Ninurta II Ashurnasirpal II Shalmaneser III Shamshi-Adad V Shammuramat (regent) Adad-nirari III Shalmaneser IV Ashur-Dan III Ashur-nirari V
Eight Babylonian Dynasty
Ninurta-kudurri-usur II Mar-biti-ahhe-iddina Shamash-mudammiq Nabu-shuma-ukin I Nabu-apla-iddina Marduk-zakir-shumi I Marduk-balassu-iqbi Baba-aha-iddina (five kings) Ninurta-apla-X Marduk-bel-zeri Marduk-apla-usur Eriba-Marduk Nabu-shuma-ishkun Nabonassar Nabu-nadin-zeri Nabu-shuma-ukin II Nabu-mukin-zeri
Humban-Tahrid dynasty

Urtak
Teumman
Ummanigash
Tammaritu I
Indabibi
Humban-haltash III
745–609 BCE Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt
Taharqa
Taharqa
("Black Pharaohs")
Piye Shebitku Shabaka Taharqa Tanutamun
Neo-Assyrian Empire

(Sargonid dynasty)
Tiglath-Pileser Shalmaneser Marduk-apla-iddina II Sargon Sennacherib Marduk-zakir-shumi II Marduk-apla-iddina II Bel-ibni Ashur-nadin-shumi Nergal-ushezib Mushezib-Marduk Esarhaddon Ashurbanipal Ashur-etil-ilani Sinsharishkun Sin-shumu-lishir Ashur-uballit II

Assyrian conquest of Egypt Assyrian conquest of Elam
626–539 BCE Late Period
Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt
Necho I Psamtik I Necho II Psamtik II Wahibre Ahmose II Psamtik III
Neo-Babylonian Empire
Nabopolassar Nebuchadnezzar II Amel-Marduk Neriglissar Labashi-Marduk Nabonidus
Median Empire
Deioces Phraortes Madyes Cyaxares Astyages
539–331 BCE Twenty-seventh Dynasty of Egypt
(First Achaemenid conquest of Egypt)
Kings of Byblos
Kings of Tyre
Kings of Sidon
Achaemenid Empire
Cyrus Cambyses Darius I Xerxes Artaxerxes I Darius II Artaxerxes II Artaxerxes III Artaxerxes IV Darius III
Twenty-eighth Dynasty of Egypt
Twenty-ninth Dynasty of Egypt
Thirtieth Dynasty of Egypt
Thirty-first Dynasty of Egypt
331–141 BCE Argead dynasty and Ptolemaic Egypt
Ptolemy I Soter Ptolemy Keraunos Ptolemy II Philadelphus Arsinoe II Ptolemy III Euergetes Berenice II Euergetis Ptolemy IV Philopator Arsinoe III Philopator Ptolemy V Epiphanes Cleopatra I Syra Ptolemy VI Philometor Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator Cleopatra II Philometor Soter Ptolemy VIII Physcon Cleopatra III Ptolemy IX Lathyros Cleopatra IV Ptolemy X Alexander Berenice III Ptolemy XI Alexander Ptolemy XII Auletes Cleopatra V Cleopatra VI Tryphaena Berenice IV Epiphanea Ptolemy XIII Ptolemy XIV Cleopatra VII Philopator Ptolemy XV Caesarion Arsinoe IV
Hellenistic Period
Seleukos I Nikator Tetradrachm from Babylon
Seleukos I Nikator Tetradrachm from Babylon
Argead dynasty: Alexander III Philip III Alexander IV
Antigonid dynasty: Antigonus I
Seleucid Empire: Seleucus I Antiochus I Antiochus II Seleucus II Seleucus III Antiochus III Seleucus IV Antiochus IV Antiochus V Demetrius I Alexander III Demetrius II Antiochus VI Dionysus Diodotus Tryphon Antiochus VII Sidetes
141–30 BCE Kingdom of Judea
Simon Thassi John Hyrcanus Aristobulus I Alexander Jannaeus Salome Alexandra Hyrcanus II Aristobulus II Antigonus II Mattathias
Alexander II Zabinas Seleucus V Philometor Antiochus VIII Grypus Antiochus IX Cyzicenus Seleucus VI Epiphanes Antiochus X Eusebes Antiochus XI Epiphanes Demetrius III Eucaerus Philip I Philadelphus Antiochus XII Dionysus Antiochus XIII Asiaticus Philip II Philoromaeus Parthian Empire
Mithridates I Phraates Hyspaosines Artabanus Mithridates II Gotarzes Mithridates III Orodes I Sinatruces Phraates III Mithridates IV Orodes II Phraates IV Tiridates II Musa Phraates V Orodes III Vonones I Artabanus II Tiridates III Artabanus II Vardanes I Gotarzes II Meherdates Vonones II Vologases I Vardanes II Pacorus II Vologases II Artabanus III Osroes I
30 BCE–116 CE Roman Empire
(Roman conquest of Egypt)
Province of Egypt
Judea Syria
116–117 CE Province of Mesopotamia under Trajan Parthamaspates of Parthia
117–224 CE Syria Palaestina Province of Mesopotamia Sinatruces II Mithridates V Vologases IV Osroes II Vologases V Vologases VI Artabanus IV
224–270 CE Sasanian Empire
Province of Asoristan
Coin of Ardashir I, Hamadan mint.
Coin of Ardashir I, Hamadan mint.
Ardashir I Shapur I Hormizd I Bahram I Bahram II Bahram III Narseh Hormizd II Adur Narseh Shapur II Ardashir II Shapur III Bahram IV Yazdegerd I Shapur IV Khosrow Bahram V Yazdegerd II Hormizd III Peroz I Balash Kavad I Jamasp Kavad I Khosrow I Hormizd IV Khosrow II Bahram VI Chobin Vistahm
270–273 CE Palmyrene Empire
Vaballathus Zenobia Antiochus
273–395 CE Roman Empire
Province of Egypt Syria Palaestina Syria Province of Mesopotamia
395–618 CE Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Egypt Palaestina Prima, Palaestina Secunda Byzantine Syria Byzantine Mesopotamia
618–628 CE (Sasanian conquest of Egypt)
Province of Egypt
Shahrbaraz Sahralanyozan Shahrbaraz
Sasanian Empire
Province of Asoristan
Khosrow II Kavad II
628–641 CE Byzantine Empire Ardashir III Shahrbaraz Khosrow III Boran Shapur-i Shahrvaraz Azarmidokht Farrukh Hormizd Hormizd VI Khosrow IV Boran Yazdegerd III Peroz III Narsieh
Byzantine Egypt Palaestina Prima, Palaestina Secunda Byzantine Syria Byzantine Mesopotamia
639–651 CE Muslim conquest of Egypt Muslim conquest of the Levant Muslim conquest of Mesopotamia and Persia
Chronology of the Neolithic period Rulers of Ancient Central Asia
  1. Rulers with names in italics are considered fictional.
  2. Hallo, W.; Simpson, W. (1971). The Ancient Near East. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich. pp. 48–49.
  3. "Rulers of Mesopotamia". cdli.ox.ac.uk. University of Oxford, CNRS.
  4. Thomas, Ariane; Potts, Timothy (2020). Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins. Getty Publications. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-60606-649-2.
  5. Roux, Georges (1992). Ancient Iraq. Penguin Books Limited. pp. 532–534 (Chronological Tables). ISBN 978-0-14-193825-7.
  6. ^ Per Sumerian King List
  7. Unger, Merrill F. (2014). Israel and the Aramaeans of Damascus: A Study in Archaeological Illumination of Bible History. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-62564-606-4.
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